Medical device control interface

Abstract

An interface component is provided for use with a first glove and a medical equipment component. The interface component comprises at least one switch located on the first glove, where each of the at least one switch provides a control signal to the medical equipment component. The interface component may further comprise a controller coupled to the plurality of switches, a power supply module coupled to the controller, and a wireless communications interface coupled to the controller in communication with a wireless interface of the medical equipment component.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A wearable interface for use a first medical equipment, the interface comprising:
 at least one finger-activatable switch for providing a control signal to control at least the first medical equipment; 
 wherein, when the interface is worn on a single hand of a wearer, the at least one switch is in a location corresponding to a palm of the single hand that is accessible to fingers of the single hand to enable easy access by at least two fingers of the single hand, while enabling the wearer to manipulate a second medical equipment held in the single hand in a bimanual procedural position. 
 
     
     
       2. The interface of  claim 1 , wherein the interface is adaptable for controlling multiple tools in a single surgical procedure. 
     
     
       3. The interface of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the first medical equipment is a pair of forceps, and the at least one switch is activatable to provide a control signal to control the forceps for cauterization; 
 the first medical equipment is a resection device, and the at least one switch is activatable to provide a control signal to control the resection device for suction, tissue removal or tissue manipulation; 
 the first medical equipment is an irrigation tool, and the at least one switch is activatable to provide a control signal to control the irrigation tool for irrigation; 
 the first medical equipment is a drill, and the at least one switch is activatable to provide a control signal to control activation of the drill or speed of the drill; or 
 the first medical equipment is a Raman probe, and the at least one switch is activatable to provide a control signal to control the Raman probe to acquire data. 
 
     
     
       4. The interface of  claim 1 , wherein the first medical equipment is a navigation system, and wherein the at least one switch is activatable to interface with a graphical user interface (GUI) of the navigation system. 
     
     
       5. The interface of  claim 1 , wherein the first medical equipment is an imaging device, and wherein the at least one switch is activatable to provide a control signal to control the imaging device to acquire an image. 
     
     
       6. The interface of  claim 1 , wherein the first medical equipment is an automated arm, and wherein the at least one switch is activatable to provide a control signal to control the automated arm to mobilize. 
     
     
       7. The interface according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one switch includes a plurality of switches and the interface further comprises:
 a controller coupled to the plurality of switches; 
 a power supply module coupled to the controller; and 
 a wireless communications interface coupled to the controller in communication with a wireless interface of the first medical equipment. 
 
     
     
       8. The interface according to  claim 7 , wherein the wireless communications interface is selected from the group consisting of Bluetooth, Wifi, and iRDA. 
     
     
       9. The interface according to  claim 7 , wherein the power supply module includes a rechargeable battery. 
     
     
       10. The interface according to  claim 7 , wherein the interface further includes an output device coupled to the controller for providing an output, the output device being configured to provide at least one of: a visual alert, an audible alert, or a tactile alert. 
     
     
       11. The interface according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one switch is coupled to the first medical equipment with physical wire. 
     
     
       12. The interface according to  claim 1 , further comprising at least one other switch, wherein, when the interface is worn on the single hand, the at least one other switch is in a location corresponding to at least one of a back of the single hand or a side of the single hand. 
     
     
       13. The interface according to  claim 1 , wherein the interface is integrated into a surgical glove. 
     
     
       14. The interface according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one switch includes a plurality of switches and each switch is selected from the group consisting of a joystick, a touchpad, a button, and a slider. 
     
     
       15. The interface according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one switch includes a plurality of switches and the plurality of switches each has a different textured surface for tactile identification by the wearer of the first glove. 
     
     
       16. The interface according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one switch includes a plurality of switches and the plurality of switches is selected from the group consisting of a binary switch, a variable switch, and a flexible pressure sensor. 
     
     
       17. A medical navigation system comprising:
 a controller; 
 at least a first medical equipment coupled to receive signals from the controller; 
 a wearable interface for interfacing with the controller, the wearable interface including: 
 at least one finger-activatable switch wearable on a single hand for providing a control signal to the controller; 
 wherein, when the wearable interface is worn on a single hand of a wearer, the at least one switch is in a location corresponding to a palm of the single hand that is accessible to fingers of the single hand to enable easy access by at least two fingers of the single hand, while enabling the wearer to manipulate a second medical equipment held in the single hand in a bimanual procedural position; 
 wherein the controller is configured to relay the control signal from the wearable interface to control at least the first medical equipment. 
 
     
     
       18. The system of  claim 17 , further comprising a third medical equipment, wherein the wearable interface is configured to provide control signals for controlling the first medical equipment and the third medical equipment during a single surgical procedure. 
     
     
       19. The system of  claim 17 , wherein
 the first medical equipment is a pair of forceps, and the at least one switch is activatable to provide a control signal to control the forceps for cauterization; 
 the first medical equipment is a resection device, and the at least one switch is activatable to provide a control signal to control the resection device for suction, tissue removal or tissue manipulation; 
 the first medical equipment is an irrigation tool, and the at least one switch is activatable to provide a control signal to control the irrigation tool for irrigation; 
 the first medical equipment is a drill, and the at least one switch is activatable to provide a control signal to control activation of the drill or speed of the drill; 
 the first medical equipment is a Raman probe, and the at least one switch is activatable to provide a control signal to control the Raman probe to acquire data; 
 the first medical equipment is an imaging device, and the at least one switch is activatable to provide a control signal to control the imaging device to acquire an image; or 
 the first medical equipment is an automated arm, and the at least one switch is activatable to provide a control signal to control the automated arm to mobilize. 
 
     
     
       20. The system of  claim 17 , wherein the controller is configured to cause an output device to display a graphical user interface (GUI), and wherein the at least one switch is activatable to interface with the GUI.